THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
49 
to haftinefs and paffion, had not thefe been difarmed by a 
difpofition the moft benevolent and humane. 
Such were the outlines of Captain Cook’s character; but 
its moft diftinguilhing feature was, that unremitting per- 
feverance in the purfuit of his object, which was not only 
fuperior to the oppofition of dangers, and the preflure of 
hardfhips, but even exempt from the want of ordinary re¬ 
laxation. During the long and tedious voyages in which 
he was engaged, his eagernefs and activity were never in 
the lead; abated. No incidental temptation could detain 
him for a moment; even thofe intervals of recreation, 
which fometimes unavoidably occurred, and were looked 
for by us with a longing, that perfons, who have expe¬ 
rienced the fatigues of fervice, will readily excufe, were 
fubmitted to by him with a certain impatience, whenever 
they could not be employed in making further provilxon 
for the more effectual profecution of his defigns. 
It is not neceffary, here, to enumerate the inftances in 
which thefe qualities were difplayed, during the great and 
important enterprizes in which he was engaged. I fhall 
content myfelf with hating the refult of thofe fervices, un¬ 
der the two principal heads to which they may be referred, 
thofe of geography and navigation, placing each in a fepa- 
rate and diftin£t point of view. 
Perhaps no fcience ever received greater additions from 
the labours of a lingle man, than geography has done from 
thofe of Captain Cook. In his firft voyage to the South 
Seas, he difcovered the Society Illands; determined the in- 
fularitv of New Zealand; difcovered the ftraits which fepa- 
rate the two illands, and are called after his name; and 
made a complete Purvey of both. He afterward explored 
the Eaftern coaft of New Holland, hitherto unknown; an 
Vo l. III. H extent 
1779. 
February. 
^ 1 1 n_. / 
